Instructions

ZOOM IN by clicking on the page. A slider will appear, allowing you to adjust your zoom level. Return to the original size by clicking on the page again.

MOVE the page around when zoomed in by dragging it.

ADJUST the zoom using the slider on the top right.

ZOOM OUT by clicking on the zoomed-in page.

SEARCH by entering text in the search field and click on "In This Issue" or "All Issues" to search the current issue or the archive of back issues
respectively.

PRINT by clicking on thumbnails to select pages, and then press the
print button.

SHARE this publication and page.

ROTATE PAGE allows you to turn pages 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.Click on the page to return to the original orientation. To zoom in on a rotated page, return the page to its original orientation, zoom in, and
then rotate it again.

CONTENTS displays a table of sections with thumbnails and descriptions.

ALL PAGES displays thumbnails of every page in the issue. Click on
a page to jump.

THE AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT YEARBOOK EDITION 23 • 79
ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY + SUSTAINABILITY
On 5 December 2015, Australia's first public electric
vehicle (EV) charging station, powered by a solar car
park structure, was opened at Macadamia Castle in
Knockrow, New South Wales 2479. One of the largest solar
installations on the Far North Coast, it's a 45-kilowatt system
using 80 panels on a durable, purpose-built car canopy structure
known as a solar car shade. The structure was constructed by
Smart Commercial Solar, a company specialising in turnkey
photovoltaic system design and installation.
In its first few weeks of operation over the summer holidays,
the car shade attracted phenomenal interest. 'This is, without
a doubt, the most exciting innovation I've instigated in this
business in seven years,' says Macadamia Castle owner Tony
Gilding, who is no slouch when it comes to generating publicity
(Remember the Elle Macpherson event -- 'The Body and The
Wombat'?). 'In the past, we've run a crocodile exhibit, bird and
rare reptiles shows, but this investment has by far attracted the
interest of the most people from all walks of life.'
Some of the positive comments come from those who are
delighted to be able to use undercover car parking now, and
those parking places fill up first. It's also attracted interest from
other business owners who are considering the potential of
similar investments. In Gilding's opinion, it would be ideal for
small regional shopping centres that are open seven days a
week to offer undercover parking while generating electricity to
offset running costs.
After nearly a month of operation, Gilding happily reports
that the structure is providing 'a bit over half' of the facility's
daytime electric energy consumption. 'I didn't anticipate the
effect of the clouds, which bring dramatic peaks and troughs,
but overall we're on track to provide 35 per cent of our annual
energy consumption,' he says.
Any electric vehicles passing the Castle may also use the
facility to charge their cars for free, although, as yet, only small
numbers have taken up the opportunity. As it happens, it would
First in Australia in 2479: a public EV charging
station in a solar car park
CASE STUDY